Nicely done article. I was particularly happy to see someone finally mention black powder rifles as a (more sustainable) long term hunting weapon - especially if you can learn to cast your own shot and produce the powder. You also mentioned another weapon that is often overlooked. In my opinion, the slingshot is a good weapon for small game when you desire something quiet and small. It may also be a decent personal protection weapon (David and Goliath anyone?) when a handgun isn't an option. I've been considering getting a slingshot to put in my get home bag for when I'm at school. I drive 35 miles one way to my college - much of the drive is very rural. I cannot have my handgun on campus but a slingshot is more easily concealed and innocuous looking. It would definitely come in handy if I ever had hike back home in due to a SHTF event.
Have you ever seen the streamlight stylus (not the stylus pro)? I purchased one for use as a penlight for medical exams and now I've taken to carrying it everywhere I go. I can't say enough good things about it. Its the size of a regular pen, has a 60 hr run time per set of batteries, puts out a surprising amount of light (better than a mini-mag out to 40 yards or so), and a price under $15. To me it is the epitome of EDC b/c it has great features and still looks like a regular pen.
CaptBart, as always, you provide valuable perspective. I guess I'm not trying to suggest that we be in a "combat mode" but more that we develop an automatic heightened sense of awareness of our surroundings and not walk around like sheep. Do you just put your head down and march to your car when you leave the store or do you keep your head up and see what / and who is around? Does the unusual vehicle parked down the road jump out at you or do you just assume its nothing (or not even notice it)? My original comment was aimed at developing an awareness to where you would notice potential threats, not a hyper-paranoia. I think you would be correct in that potentially leading to a PTSD risk.
I had to pay attention in that class more than I wanted to (going into a medical field). It does bring up an interesting point, however. If we can create a default frame of mind (think of it as a profile or template) for a certain setting, the trick becomes developing our default template to be one of awareness. Wouldn't it be ideal if the smell of your coffee or your aftershave in the morning brought out a level of awareness that people like Capt. Bart experience with the "jungle smell?" - Something I've been pondering on since I first read this post a couple of days ago.
Ditto. Most of the time my wife "tolerates" the survival "stuff." But she is pleasantly surprised when it comes in handy. :-)
Your sense of smell is processed in the limbic system (or limbic area - depending on which textbook you read) of the brain. This is also the same area that, to the best of our understanding, controls emotional processing and memory. This is why smells evoke memories and moods. The jungle smell- I'm assuming - brings memories rushing back to you as well as a "default" frame of mind that goes along with that.
My wife and I have poor soil in our yard as well. We are doing something called "square foot gardening." Essentially its using a raised bed - ours is 4'x4' and 6-9 inches deep. Its designed to be efficient and easy. So far so good (and neither of us have green thumbs). We got the book ("Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew) from a second hand store but I know most libraries carry it as well. You can find quite a bit of info online too.
I own the Glock 81 knife and I am thoroughly impressed for less than $30. If you search on youtube you can find knifetests.com's video review. Is it as good as the Parry? No, but it will do the trick in my limited student's budget.
Great article. I just downloaded it to my computer (to print when I want to burn through that many pages and ink) and my Kindle. Fantastic stuff!
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Thingamajig